Webinar – HR and Bereavement: The Next Steps. A Practical Workplace Response When Employees Experience Loss

Join Sustainable HRM Skillnet for “HR and Bereavement: The Next Steps. A Practical Workplace Response When Employees Experience Loss.”

Most organisations have policies for bereavement leave and many offer counselling through Employee Assistance Programmes. Yet when an employee loses a loved one, they often return to work carrying a burden that neither service is designed to address. Along side their grief sits a complex web of practical responsibilities like notifying institutions, managing finances, dealing with probate, handling legal obligations, closing accounts, navigating pensions, and supporting family members through complicated unfamiliar processes.

For HR teams and managers, there is often uncertainty about what support should look like, where their responsibilities begin and end, and how best to help an employee through one of life’s most challenging experiences.

This webinar explores how organisations can move beyond traditional bereavement support and create a more structured, practical response for employees and their families.

Bereavement as a Workplace Reality

In organisations with 100+ employees, significant bereavement events are not rare occurrences.

We’ll explore:

1. The impact of bereavement on employees and teams
2. Why support often fades when practical challenges intensify
3. The hidden organisational costs of inadequate support

 The Administrative Burden After Loss:

 The funeral is often the point where support is most visible.

For families, however, the most difficult work begins afterwards.

We’ll examine:

1. The range of administrative tasks families face
2. Why these responsibilities can continue for months
3. How this affects employee wellbeing, concentration, and performance

 The Challenge for HR and Managers

Most managers are not trained to navigate complex bereavement situations.

We’ll discuss:

1. Common gaps in organisational responses
2. Supporting employees consistently and compassionately
3. Managing complex circumstances, including sudden deaths, repatriation and workplace fatalities

 A Practical Support Framework

Discover how organisations can provide structured support through:

1. Step-by-step guidance for employees and families
2. Specialist one-to-one consultation when complex situations arise
3. Practical resources for HR teams and managers
4. Clear guidance on navigating difficult bereavement scenarios

Introducing the My Farewell Wishes Bereavement Response Service

During the webinar, we will demonstrate how organisations can provide access to:

 The Next Steps Platform

A practical, step-by-step roadmap guiding families through the administrative and legal tasks that arise following a death.

 Specialist Bereavement Consultation

Direct access to experienced professionals who can support both employees and HR teams through complex situations.

 Practical Guides and Resources

Structured guidance for HR leaders, managers and employees, covering everything from first-response protocols to return-to-work conversations and specialist scenarios.

Who Should Attend?

1. HR Directors
2. HR Managers
3. People & Culture Leaders
4. Employee Wellbeing Leads
5. Business Owners
6. Senior Leaders
7. Line Managers

Join us to explore how organisations can provide practical, meaningful support that helps employees and families navigate loss while giving managers and HR teams the confidence to respond effectively.

Duration: 60 Minutes

Format: Live Webinar

Cost: Complimentary